V-Puff Hat with Easy Rolled Flower

Materials:

*Red Heart Yarn in Navy and Gold (This hat took about 1/2 skein of navy and just enough Gold to make the flower as big as you want it-I use Red Heart Yarn often for hats and blankets because it's pretty much the only yarn available in my small town.  One thing I don't really like about this yarn is that while working with it, it's really stiff!  However, once you wash it, it becomes soft.    This hat came out just a little big on me, but after a wash, it was fine and became really soft.)

*H Hook

*Yarn Needle

Special Stitches Used:

PS=Puff Stitch (Insert hook, YO and pull up yarn to the same height as a DC or a ch 2.  YO, insert hook again, YO, pull up length of yarn.  YO, insert hook a third time, YO, pull up length of yarn.  YO and pull through all loops on the hook.  Chain 1 to secure.)

Vpuff=PS, ch1, PS

Magic Circle
R1:  *PS, ch 1* Repeat 7 times around.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R2:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  Vpuff in each ch sp around.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R3:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  *Vpuff, PS.* Repeat *-* to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R4:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  *PS, PS, Vpuff.*  Repeat *-* to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R5:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  *Skip ch sp, Vpuff*  Repeat to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R6-R11:  Sl st in chain sp.  Vpuff, *Skip ch sp, Vpuff* Repeat to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R12:  Ch 2.  DC in each st around.  Join with sl st in top of first stitch.
R13-14:  Sl st around next DC of previous row.  Ch 3.  FPTC around to end of row.  Join with sl st in top of first stitch.

Easy Rolled Flower

Using Gold Yarn

Chain 60

In every other stitch: SC, DC, TC, DC, SC.

Continue to end of chains.  Sl st in last stitch to finish and then leave a long tail to sew up the flower.  

Roll up the petals, using yarn needle and tail to sew up the flower as you roll up.  If you leave a long enough tail, you can also use that yarn to attach flower to hat.

Mustard Colored Ruffled Scarf

Ruffled Scarf

*The pattern instructions are for a toddler scarf, but this could easily be converted to a woman's scarf-which I plan to do shortly!

Materials Needed:

*H Hook

*Red Heart Yarn in Gold

Ch 12
R1: DC in 3rd chain from the hook, and in each chain across.  Ch 3, turn.
R2-R60: DC in front loop only of each stitch across.  Ch 3, turn. 

Crocheting only in the front loops creates "Free Loops" in which you will create ruffles later on.

 R61: 3DC in each stitch across (under both loops).  This is the first row of ruffled.  Now, we begin to work back over the scarf, adding the ruffles. 

3 DC around the last DC of previous row, as shown in picture. 

3 DC on the edge of the scarf, crocheted over the last DC of that row

Now you will begin to work in the free loops (abbreviated FL for the remainder of pattern).  3 DC in each FL across.  3 DC around last DC to move on to next row.  This requires turning the work, as the next row of FL is on the opposite side.  Continue spiraling around the scarf to in like manner to it's end. 

Happy Crocheting!

How-To Tuesday: Magic Circle

This is one of my favorite techniques for starting any project that I will be working in the round!  When I began crocheting, one of the first projects I made was a beanie for my son.  The pattern said to chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to create the top of the hat, which of course creates a tiny hole.  This drove me BONKERS!  I know, it really isn't that big of a deal, but why couldn't I close up that hole?  I figured with enough stitches in the hole it would be sealed up, but it was never quite to my satisfaction.  So, I went searching for a better way...  And along came the Magic Circle!

This technique allows you to pull the end of your yarn and close up that little hole that bothers me so much occurs when you simply chain and join.

Chevron Baby Blanket (and a headache)

I loved these colors together and immediately thought "Chevron!"

I love the texture of this blanket!  :)

Materials:

* H Hook

*Lion Brand "Pound of Love" in Pastel Green and Antique White (1 of each)

Stitches Used:

Ch-Chain

DC-Double Crochet

DCdec-Double Crochet Decrease

Notes:

*DCdec = YO insert hook in stitch, YO and draw up a loop, YO, draw through 2 loops on hook, YO insert hook in next stitch, YO and draw up a loop, YO, draw through 2 loops on hook, YO and draw through all 3 lps on hook.

*Doing a ripple pattern can get tricky!  Here's a tip: Don't stress!  This blanket frustrated me for HOURS!  I swore I did my math wrong and rewrote it about a dozen times!  I wanted a Chevron Blanket and I could see it in my head!  I knew it could be done and I was going to do it!  

***BIG TIP: If you find that things aren't lining up for whatever reason (or for NO reason) then here's how to get yourself back on track without having to rip everything out and start over again.  At the beginning, you should have to make 3 DC's before making the valley.  This may mean putting 2 DC's in a stitch that maybe didn't require it.  I don't know why, but I've talked to other crocheters and they have all said the same thing: sometimes, that wavy pattern just gets messed up without rhyme or reason.  Also, The DCdec should start in the stitch just before the top of the first DC dec from the previous row.  The 2 DC dec's should go over the 2 DC dec from the previous row.  Here's some pictures of what I mean:

See the 2 DCdec's?  They create the valley.

The first DCdec of the working row is being worked right on top of the DCdec from the previous row.

***Another BIG TIP:  To make the peaks, the 2 DC's in the same stitch should be made in the 2nd stitch of the first set of 2 DC's from the previous row.  This means the total 4 DC's are made in the 2 center DC's of the previous 4 DC's.  Make sense?  Here's a picture:

2 DC's in the top of the peak

In between the peaks and valleys, there should be 3 DC's made.  Example: 1 DC in each of the next 3 stitches, make peak, 1 DC in each of the next 3 stitches, make valley (how to make peaks and valleys are explained in the instructions)

 Chevron Baby Blanket

(Worked in multiples of 12 + 3)

Ch 111.

R1: Work 1 DC in 4th ch from hook, 1 DC in next 3 ch, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 ch, 2 DC in next ch, *2 DC in next ch, 1 DC in each of next 3 ch, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 ch, 2 DC in next ch; rep from * to end. Turn.

R2: Ch 3, 2 DC in first dc, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC, *2 DC in next DC, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC; rep from *, end last rep with 2 DC in top of turning chain. Turn.

R3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 DC), 1 DC in first DC, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC, *2 DC in next DC, 1 DC in next 3 DC, DCdec twice, 1 DC in next 3 DC, 2 DC in next DC; rep from * to end. Turn.

R4-R80: Rep rows 2 and 3, creating 10 rows of each color

Daisy Square Blanket

I made my husband a blanket... and it took FOREVER.  Mainly because I have an attention problem and tend to jump between 2 or 3 projects at a time.  So, I worked on it in bits and pieces for about a year.  Yeah, like I said, it took FOREVER.  But, it came out pretty good and became his Father's Day gift.  It's one of his favorite blankets (besides his Boise State Snuggie) and he keeps it close to him.  :)  That makes me feel pretty good!  I also have a Snuggie (they make awesome Christmas gifts, seriously) but I wanted a special blanket of my own.  Since I am the only one in my household with any blanket making skills, I figured I'd better get to work.  I really wanted my special blanket to reflect the love I feel for my family, particularly for my hubby who I will be doing some snuggling with in this blanket!  So, of course, I thought of daisies!

Confused?  :)

Daisies have had a special meaning in our marriage.  They were the first flower my husband ever bought for me (before we were married) and they were part of our wedding.  My girls like to wear daisies in their hair on special occasions because they know that daisies mean something special.  Anniversaries, Valentines Day, birthdays and "Just-Because-I-Love-You" bouquets always include daisies.  The last few years, they've started to include lilies as well, but that's because we had our own special Lili come into our lives (otherwise known as our 3-year old ballerina).

I adapted the flower from a pattern I had seen once.  You could make the petals even more full, but I chose to make them easy to handle as opposed to just being really big.  Assembling the gray on the outside of the flower was a bit tricky.  It took a while to get the stitches just right to make it into a square.  In the future, I may even mess around with it a bit more because I am not convinced that I've landed on the best option yet. 

Daisy Square Blanket

Materials:

* H Hook

*Red Heart Yarn in Grey Heather, Bright Yellow and Soft White

*Yarn needle

I would recommend (for the sake of time) making up all (or a lot) of flowers at one time, then adding the gray to create the square.  It saves time from switching between 3 yarns.  When I created this blanket, I went in batches.  I made 10 centers from the yellow, then switched to white and created petals for the 10 centers.  Then switched to grey and made the square for the 10 flowers.  Make sense?  Good.  :)

Daisy Instructions: Make 1 per square. 

*Begin with Bright Yellow
Magic circle (or ch 4 and join with sl st)
12 sc in center.  Tie off.


*Switch to Soft White
Attach yarn in any sc.  *Ch 3.  Inset hook in same stitch, YO and pull up 1 loop to the same height as the ch 3.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and insert hook into next sc.  Pull up 1 loop to same height.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and insert hook again.  YO and pull up another loop to same height.  YO and pull through all loops.  Chain 3 to secure.  Sl st in next sc.*  Repeat *-* around for total of 6 petals.  For last stitch, sl st in the first DC you worked.  Tie off and hide ends.

*Switch to Grey Heather. (Now you are creating the outer part of the square)
Attach yarn on right side of any petal. { } means those instructions are done in one stitch or space.

{ch 3, dc in same st}, {tc, ch 2, tc, dc in same stitch}, tc between petals, {2 dc}, {2dc}, {tc, ch 2, tc}, {2dc}, {2dc}, {2 dc, tc, ch 2, tc, dc}, {2 dc}, {2 dc}, {dc, tc, ch 2, tc}, {2 dc}, Join with sl st to first ch 3.

ch 3.  4 dc.  {2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc} in corner space.  8 dc.  Repeat { } 8 dc. Repeat { } 8 dc.  Repeat { } 4 dc.  Join with sl st to first dc.

ch 3. 6 dc. {2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc} in corner space.  12 dc.  Repeat { } 12 dc. Repeat { } 12 dc. Repeat { } 6 dc.  Join with sl st to first dc.

Square created!

There are plenty of ways to stitch this blanket together.   I went with something very simple, with the idea of making the daisy stand out in each square.  Holding the wrong sides together, I stitched the squares together using single crochet stitches.  This gives the slight ridge you see between each square.  I am still adding to the blanket, but I plan on adding a simple border as well, though I am debating whether to add a grey border or a white border.

Just to give you some ideas, you could sc or dc around the square in yellow, then join those with the sc ridges, but using white.  That would brighten the blanket up a bit more.  You could also just use white or yellow to stitch the squares together any way you normally would.  There are plenty of ways to put this together.  You can definitely use different colors altogether and just get creative with it!

How-To Tuesday: Treble Crochet

Treble Crochet (TC) stitches create height.  I've used them in the Batman-Inspired Costume to create height and fill in space on the mask.  Treble Crochet stitches are a basis for some decorative stitches as well, so they're definitely worth knowing, even though they may not be the most widely used stitches!

Picture Tutorial

I've already made one TC.  Now, to make another!

Yarn over twice

Pull up two loops

Yarn over again

Pull up two loops again

Yarn over again

Pull up last two loops

Treble Crochet (TC) made!

Toddler Popcorn Ballerina Leg Warmers

My daughter is a dancer.  Specifically, Jazz, Tap and Ballet.  She absolutely LOVES to go to dance class, and I think a big part of that is getting dressed up!  It's starting to get chilly here, and I started to get worried about my daughters little legs in those little tights at class.  How about some ballet pink leg warmers?!  This time, I textured them up for a bit of fun.  :)

My daughter who dances is out of town this week (visiting her Grandma) so I asked my 2 year old to fill her shoes.  Literally.  I'll post some pictures later when my Dancing Daughter is home and in full ballerina gear.  :)

Toddler Popcorn Ballerina Pink Leg Warmers

Materials:

*H Hook

*Caron Simply Soft yarn in Soft Pink

Stitches Used:

Ch=Chain

Sl st=Slip Stitch

DC=Double Crochet

PS=Popcorn Stitch (explained in the pattern)

Ch 20.  Join with sl st to first chain.

R1-R2: Ch 3.  DC around.  Join with sl st to top of ch 3.

R3: Ch 3. *1 DC, 1 PS* Repeat to last PS.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.

R4: Ch 3, treat as first DC and create PS.  *DC in securing ch stitch of PS from previous round.  PS in DC from previous round.*  Repeat to last stitch.  DC.  Sl st in top of first PS.

R5: Ch 3 (counts as DC) *1 PS, 1 DC* Repeat around.  Sl st in top of first DC.

R6-R10: Repeat rounds 4 and 5.

R11: DC around.  Ch 2.

R12: DC around.  Tie off and weave in ends.

Giveaway Winner!

Our Giveaway winner is Connie Green from Shabby Digitals!  Congrats, Connie!  Be sure to get in touch with me so I can get those sent out to you!  ;)

Batman Inspired Costume

Totally fun Batman costume!  This project takes a bit of time, but isn't very complicated.  You could easily get it done over a weekend.  The stitches are simple, but the cape can get time consuming.  I am actually planning to add more length to my sons cape.  Right now it covers his entire back, but I am going for the full Batman effect, so I must make it longer!  Pattern instructions will include the full length of the cape and fit a toddler size 5/6.

Crochet Batman Inspired Costume

Materials:

* H hook

*Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in black (Get the BIG roll!)

*Yarn needle

Stitches Used:

Ch = Chain

DC = Double Crochet

SC = Single Crochet

TC = Treble Crochet
DC dec = Double Crochet Decrease

Sl st = Slip Stitch

MC = Magic Circle *Note: If you are not familiar with this technique, I highly recommend learning it for this project.  The ears will especially benefit from the Magic Circle technique.  If you do not use the Magic Circle technique, you can use the same technique you would normally use to begin a circular beanie round, such as ch 4 and join with sl st.  A video tutorial for the Magic Circle technique will be available on the blog soon.

Begin with a Magic Circle.

R1: 8 DC in center

R2: 2 DC in each stitch around.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R3: *2DC in same stitch, 1 DC in next stitch* Repeat around. Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R4:  *2DC in same stitch, 1 DC in next 2 stitches* Repeat around. Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R5:  *2DC in same stitch, 1 DC in next 3 stitches* Repeat around. Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R6: *2DC in same stitch, 1 DC in next 4 stitches* Repeat around. Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R7: *2DC in same stitch, 1 DC in next 5 stitches* Repeat around. Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R8-R10: DC around.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R11: 28 DC, 5 SC, 4 DC, 5 SC, DC to end of row.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R12: 27 DC, 7 sl st, ch 2, 3 DC, 7 sl st, DC to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.

R13: 26 DC, 8 sl st, ch 2, 4 DC, 8 sl st, DC to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.
R14: 25 DC, 1 sl st, ch 6. Attach with sl st to top of ch 2 from previous round (creates eyehole).  3 sl st, ch 6, join with sl st to top of first DC after 2nd eyehole.  DC to end of row.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Ch 2.
R15: 24 DC, 9 TC, ch 3. Sl st in first ch (creating picot).  9 TC, DC to end of round. Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Tie off end and weave in.

Top of mask is created.  Now we begin work in rows for the bottom of the mask.

R1: Attach yarn in first DC after right eyehole.  Ch 2.  DC around to last DC before left eyehole.  Ch 2, turn.

Where to attach yarn to begin rows

R2: 10 DC, *DC dec, 10 DC* Repeat to end.  Ch 2, turn.
R3: *6 DC, DC dec* Repeat to last 3 stitches.  3 DC, ch 2, turn.
R4: 3 DC, *DC dec, 3 DC* Repeat to end.  Ch 4.  Join with sl st in top of first DC, creating a round.

Now, we begin working in rounds again.

R1 & R2: Ch 2.  DC around, join.

Now, we finish in rows.

R1: Ch 2.  2 DC in each of the next 31 stitches.  Ch 2 & turn.
R2: *1 DC, 2 DC in next stitch* Repeat for first 10 stitches.  DC across to last 10 stitches.  *2 DC in stitch, 1 DC in next stitch* Repeat to end.  Ch 2, turn.
R3-R4: 2 DC in first stitch.  DC across to last stitch.  2 DC in last stitch.  Ch 2, turn.
R5-R7: DC across, ch 2, turn.
R8-R31: 2 DC in first stitch.  DC across.  2 DC in last stitch.  Ch 2, turn.
R32: 2 DC in first stitch.  DC across.  2 DC in last stitch.  Tie off, weave in ends.

Ears (make 2):

Ch 10.  Sl st in first stitch.

Ch 1.  Working in a spiral fashion: 10 sc, sk 1 st, 9 sc, sk 1 st, 8 sc, sk 1 st, 7 sc, sk 1 st, 6 sc, sk 1 st, 5 sc, sk 1 st, 4 sc, sk 1 st, 3 sc, sk 1 st, 2 sc, sk 1 st, sl st and tie off.  Hide end in center.  Attach ears to sides of head.

How-To Tuesday: Double Crochet & Slip stitch + Bonus Pattern!

Ah, another Tuesday!  I hope you're all sharing the blog with your friends and thinking about what you're going to do with your cute legwarmers!  ;)  Ready for another lesson in the art of crochet?

Double Crochet - DC

You're going to start crocheting into the 3rd chain from the hook.

Insert hook in the 3rd chain from the hook

Yarn over

Pull up one loop (leaving 3 loops on the hook)

Yarn over again

Pull up 2 loops (leaving 2 loops on the hook)

Yarn over again

Pull up 2 loops (leaving one loop on the hook) Double crochet is finished!

Slip Stitch - Sl st

A slip stitch is very easy.  I made a video tutorial, but I can explain it very easily as well.  Insert your hook where the stitch is to be made.  Yarn over and pull through both loops, leaving only 1 loop on hook.  Slip stitch done.  :)

How about a super-duper easy pattern for the little girl in your life?

Toddler Girl's Striped Legwarmers

Materials:

*H Hook

*Red Heart Yarn in Black and Orange (or whatever colors you'd like to stripe!)

*scissors

Begin with color 1 (For me, that was black)

Ch 25.  Join with sl st in first ch.

R1: Ch 2.  DC in each ch around.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Tie off, snip end.

R2-R13: Change colors.  Ch 2.  DC in each ch around.  Join with sl st in top of first DC. Tie off, snip end.

**TIP** When changing colors, you get a lot of little loose ends that can be super annoying to weave in at the end.  I have an easy fix for that.  You can cover them up as you go along by crocheting over them!  Make your first round of DC and join, as directed.   After you snip off the end, lay that end on top of your row.  As you crochet, you'll stitch right over the end, hiding it and holding it in place.  :)

My First Giveaway!

See those ADORABLE legwarmers I just posted the pattern for?  I listed them in my Etsy shop for $15... but you can score yourself a pair for FREE!  Wanna know how?  Of course you do! ;)

All you need to do is follow the blog, follow us on Facebook and/or send your friends over!  They can either (1) Follow The Blog, or (2) Follow Design Adventures on Facebook.  Every friend you send over gets you AND them an entry!  Just be sure that your friends leaves a comment on this post or on the Facebook Wall of who sent them over so I can properly credit you.

The giveaway is open to all of my Facebook Friends and followers of the blog!  The winner will be announced on Friday!  Happy Sharing!

Leg Warmers

Super cute legwarmers with shell edging detail!  These are so fun to wear and they are WARM!  Ha ha!  The weather has been a little kooky lately.  Just 2 weeks ago we were running the A/C and then one morning we just woke up and needed the heater on!  No in-between (otherwise known as "autumn" or "fall"), straight from hot to cold.  Now, YOU need a pair of legwarmers!!

This project didn't take me long at all.  You could easily whip these up while watching a movie... like I did.  ;)

Check it out! We've been featured on Social Salutations: Friday, I'm in Love!

Super Cute, Fun & Easy Leg Warmers

Materials needed:

*H hook

*Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Coffee

*Coordinating buttons - I used 6, 3 on each legwarmer.  This could be cute with one button in each shell, going all the way down...  or even without buttons!  It's up to you!

Stitches Used:

ch=chain

DC=double crochet

SC=single crochet

Sl st=slip stitch

Ch 47

R1: DC in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across.  Ch 2, turn.

R2-22: DC in each stitch across.  Ch 2, turn.

R23: DC in each stitch across.  Turn work.

R24: 5 DC in 2nd stitch (shell).  *Skip 2 stitches, SC, Skip 1 stitch, 5 DC in stitch (shell).* Repeat *-* to end of last shell. (9 shells made).  Sl st in last stitch.  Tie off & weave in ends.

Repeat to make second leg warmer.

Crochet in the news

I remember when a friend of mine at work told me that she crocheted.  I thought, isn't that what cute little old ladies do when they want to make an heirloom to pass on to the grandkids?  I've seen some crocheted items and really didn't have much of an interest.  I liked fun, modern, romantic things...  and all I could picture was a sweet old lady making oddly colored afghans.  Then, my friend came to work with a top she had made for her daughter and I saw crochet from a completely different angle!  I set my prejudice aside and started to see more of the things she had made.  I saw things that others had made in the community, then on the Internet and I was blown away!  The talent these people had was amazing!  I was hooked (pun intended) and decided I wanted to learn.  Thus, my love for crochet was born!

I'm always happy to read about others who share my passion.  My fantastic husband brought this article to my attention yesterday and I wanted to share it.  Yes, I know he's a cute little old man, but who doesn't need to find an activity that helps you to calm your nerves...  and could win you prizes!

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20111006/LIFESTYLE/111006003/Local-man-crochets-therapy-hobby?odyssey=nav%7Chead

 

Also, I wanted to give a shout out to my new blogging friends and ask you all to find me on Facebook!  Check out Design Adventures on Facebook and keep up with everything that's coming up.  I may even need to start doing some giveaways!  ;)

Silly Spider Earflap Hat

Super fun hat for Halloween!

Materials:

*Red Heart Yarn in white and black

*I Hook

*Yarn needle

*Scissors

Magic Circle (Or ch 4, sl st into first chain to make ring)
R1: 8 DC in ring, ch 2.
R2: 2 DC in each stitch around, ch 2.
R3: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R4: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 2 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R5: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 3 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R6: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 4 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R7: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 5 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R8: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 6 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R9-R10: DC in each stitch around.  Ch 2.
R11: DC in each stitch around.  Tie off, weave in ends.

Earflaps (Will make on both sides)
Lay hat flat.  Find center stitch at the bottom of the hat.  This will be the center point of your earflap.  Sometimes I get a little bit of a "seam" at the point of a new round on my hats, so I choose to put this in the back if it bothers me.  This means, when you lay the hat flat, you'll want to have the "seam" to one side.

Count 4 stitches to the right.  This is where you will begin stitching.

Attach yarn to hat with sl st.  Ch 2.
R1: 8 DC.  Ch 2.
R2: DC dec in next 2 stitches.  DC in next 2 stitches.  DC dec in last 2 stitches.  Ch 2.
R3: DC dec in next 2 stitches.  DC in next stitch.  DC dec in last 2 stitches.  Tie off, weave in ends.

Make earflap on opposite side in same fashion.

Switch to black.  SC around the bottom of the hat and earflaps.

Using yarn needle and black yarn, create spiderweb effect.  I used an embroidery stitch, but there are lots of ways to stitch onto the hat!  If you'd like to use the embroidery stitch, here is what I did:

Cut a long length of yarn.  I had to do this several times throughout the process, so don't be nervous about running out because you can just get more.  Insert needle and yarn through the back side of the work, at the top center of the hat and pull through.  Leave a tail on the back side of the yarn to tie off.  Now, insert hook in the same place you just pulled the yarn through.  Begin to pull yarn through, but only enough that you leave a loop on the right side.  Before pulling yarn all the way through, insert hook from back side to where you'd like your next stitch to be, being sure that the needle comes through the loop made in the previous stitch.  Pull up your yarn and the previous stitch will now be anchored, and the next stitch is now begun!

Spider Tassles:
Make Magic Circle (Or ch 3, join with sl st)
8 SC in center of circle.  Join with sl st at top of first SC.  Chain 25 and join to hat with a sl st.  Tie off and weave in ends.